Contested futures: envisioning "Personalized," "Stratified," and "Precision" medicine

Area of Science:

• Biomedical research
• Health policy
• Sociology of science

Background:

• Proliferation of terms like "personalized," "stratified," and "precision" medicine.
• These concepts are linked to data-intensive biomedical research and its translational potential.
• Diverse and contested ideas exist regarding the future of medicine and healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To unpack key disputes surrounding the terms "personalized," "stratified," and "precision" medicine.
• To map the epistemic, political, and economic contexts shaping these terms.
• To analyze the roles of patients and citizens in competing future visions of medicine.

Main Methods:

• Discourse analysis of scientific and policy literature.
• Examination of ethical and value-laden assumptions within terminological choices.
• Mapping of socio-economic and political contexts influencing biomedical innovation.

Main Results:

• The terms "personalized," "stratified," and "precision" medicine carry significant ethical and value baggage.
• Terminological choices shape the social meaning of data-intensive biomedical innovations.
• Competing future imaginaries reveal diverse desired and desirable healthcare futures.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the contested nature of these terms is vital for navigating the future of medicine.
• The social meaningfulness of biomedical innovation is constructed through language and context.
• Critical analysis of terminology is necessary to align innovation with societal values.